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Juanita lives outside of Acuña, near a ranch where her father works. She has a malignant tumor on her liver. The doctors in Monterrey treated her with radiation and chemotherapy for many months. Although the tumor has shrunk the doctors are disappointed that the therapy was not more successful. In July, 2010 we were told that the doctors feel that the radiation and chemotherapy is no longer effective and they will meet soon to discuss surgery. Juanita turned five years old last month. On August 18th, Juanita traveled to Mexico City, where the doctors confirmed that surgery, although difficult and dangerous, is the only chance for Juanita's survival. Because of the complexity of the operation, the Juanita's parents were required to provide 12-blood donors. In Mexico City, they do not know who to ask. They are calling churches, other hospitals and everyone they can think of while Juanita lays in a hospital room thinking about what is happening. AUGUST 25-Juanita entered the operating room today. August 26 - Midnight After 15 hours of surgery, Juanita was moved to the ICU and is expected to make a full recovery. The doctors said that they removed the cancerous tumor and that there were no signs of other cancer or damage to the liver. |
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Ambar's father told the story. "I was watching my daughter and she was focused on the TV. She seemed to be lost in the cartoon. I glanced out the window and saw a friend across the street. We are working on a project at our church. I glanced back at Ambar and thought that I would quickly run across the street to ask my friend a quick question. I thought I locked the gate behind me. I did not know Ambar was following me. Nobody saw her and nobody saw the bus as it came down the street. My little girl's leg was crushed." Ambar's father cannot tell the story without pained looks of guilt and shame. His eyes fill with tears. Ambar's leg was amputated below the knee and she was fitted with a prosthetic limb. She remains happy, cheerful and very playful. The family's challenge is that once a year, as both legs grow, the leg requires surgery and a new prosthetic limb. |
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Carmen was diagnosed with leukemia. This little angel is 8 years old and is being treated by an oncologist and ophthalmologist The cancer has spread into her right eye. The doctors hope that chemotherapy might destroy the cancer so that the eye socket will not need to be removed with the eye. This would enable Carmen to receive a glass eye. In July, just before the flood struck Acuña, Carmen completed another round of chemotherapy and the oncologist said that he needed to operate the following week. However, after the family returned to Acuña a flood made the roads and bridges to Monterrey impassable. We met with the family on July 12th and found that the buses and officials believe it will be at least another week before the roads are opened. We explored the possibility of air travel, but this is also not possible. So, we wait, hope and pray with the family. |
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No Additional photo. Child was first met on July 13th. | He fell off the couch. A simple, everyday occurrence. Kids fall down. He said is leg hurt and seemed to be in a lot of pain. His parents took him to the public hospital and were told that nothing appeared to be wrong. They returned to the public hospital and this time they received pain medicine, but were again assured that nothing was wrong beyond a bruised knee. They returned a third time and were again told that there was nothing wrong with the child's leg. A neighbor suggested a private doctor who would only charge a small amount. That doctor immediately sent the child to the hospitals in Monterrey because something was indeed wrong. The parents were told that if the child's leg had been treated correctly at the public hospital, there would be no problem. However, because of massive infection, the leg was amputated above the knee. On a follow-up visit, someone told the family about Paper Houses Across the Border and the family contacted us. We assured them that we would find sponsors to provide this little 8-year old with a prosthetic limb. The mother's eyes filled with tears and said that she never dared to hope for such a thing. The cost ($2,300) is more than this poor woman would see during an entire year. Juan Pedro is one happy little boy! He hopped up and down and laughed when he was told he will soon have an artificial leg! |